A lot can happen in 4 years... this is the average time it takes to wear out the internal parts of your computer. While that may seem like a short lifetime, the fact is, computers weren't designed to last forever. Even if your computer does continue to power on and work most of the time, as updates and improvements are constantly being made to our software and other technology on a regular basis, older machines simply have difficulty keeping up.
While computers don’t have expiration dates and it can be difficult to part with your old trusted machine, we typically recommend replacing your computer every 3-5 years. Now, just because your work computer has begun freezing or slowing down doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to get a replacement.
Here are 5 signs it's definitely time to buy a new computer:
- Can't Take the Heat - Your computer is constantly overheating, and your fan is starting to become noisy. It is normal for a computer to get a little warm especially if you have been on it all day or its sitting on your bed or the couch with limited air flow. But if your computer is consistently overheating for no reason, and you can hear your fan constantly running, it may be time to get a new computer.
- Update Rate - Your computer does not have or cannot get the newest operating system. If your computer can’t support the newest operating system available, a number of problems are bound to follow. Old operating systems become no longer supported, and you run into compatibility issues. If this is the case, you may want to look into getting a new computer.
- Foggy Memory? - Your computer cannot multitask. Do you have problems running two applications at once? This could be caused by running out of memory, running out of space on your hard drive, or an overworked processor. While there are temporary fixes to some of those issues, odds are it is time to get a new computer.
- Slow Ride - It takes forever to start up or shut down your computer. New computers can start up or shut down very quickly, if your computer is taking minutes to do so, it is probably time to look into getting a new one.
- More Money or More Problems? - Does it cost more to repair or replace your computer? Many of the problems mentioned above could be temporarily repaired. But if it costs more to repair these issues than it would to replace the computer it is DEFINITELY time to get a new computer.
Having an older computer that constantly needs repairs is not only frustrating, but it can expose you to security threats. If you are a business owner in Central Texas and it is indeed time for you to buy a new computer but you're not sure where to start, give CTTS a call today: (512) 388-5559.
What Do I Do With My Old Computer?
When you do end up buying a new computer, we can't just chunk our old computer in the trash, although that may feel satisfying! Throwing computers into local landfills is not legal in every city and really isn't good for the environment. Most businesses will recycle or donate old technology to schools, nonprofits, and other organizations. For the security of yourself and your company, before you donate, recycle, or trash your computer, you'll want to remove any sensitive data. We can take care of this entire process for you with our CTTS C.A.R.E.'s (Computer Assistance Resource Exchange) program. If you are a nonprofit organization in need of a free desktop or laptop or to see if your machine is eligible for donation visit our CTTS C.A.R.E.'s page here: https://www.cttsonline.com/ctts-cares/
By Madison Melser
Inside Sales Account Executive, Central Texas Technology Solutions